Lotus 'Not Bitter' Over Raikkonen's Ferrari Return

Lotus F1 team principal Eric Boullier has said that while losing Kimi Raikkonen to Ferrari for the 2014 season is a disappointment, he is not bitter about the Finn's decision.

The Enstone-based squad was obviously keen to hold onto the 2007 world champion's services but failed to work out a deal with the Finn, who was announced as Felipe Massa's replacement at Ferrari yesterday (Wednesday).

The team's reaction wasn't as speedy as this, but it was typically hilariously as they now look to end his career at Lotus on a high.

Boullier was asked if he was bitter about Raikkonen's decision, repying: "Not at all. Two years ago, when we decided to sign him, quite a few people thought we were crazy. And what happened in the end?

"We’ve been working with an amazing racer, who scored points for the team 27 times in a row, won two races, put motivation at a very high level at Enstone, and got on very well with his team-mate."

However, he admitted that he was disappointed to lose the ice-cream loving Finn: "Of course this is a disappointment to all of us, and we’re sure you will agree that Kimi has been nothing but brilliant since he joined us. It’s been a win-win situation right from the beginning."

Now Lotus looks to the future and to who will replace Raikkonen. Current team-mate Romain "Bro, do you even lift?" Grosjean is also out-of-contract at the end of the season and his continually inconsistent form could make it an all new line-up in the black and golf liveried car for 2014.

Discussing the subject, Boullier said: "We are currently in discussion with a few people and will make a decision shortly. We are in the privileged position of being the most desirable team on the grid with a seat available, so we are therefore in no rush to announce anyone without establishing what will be the best for our team and the future."

Those in contention include Nico Hulkenberg - who was the star of the Italian Grand Prix qualifying and who impressed immensely in the race - Felipe Massa, who Boullier admitted was on their radar, Paul Di Resta and current third driver Davide Valsecchi to name just a few.